Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1887-04-08
His Second Wife.

81 must say. Mildred. that everybody
i mean all your friends-were per-
fectly astonished at yonr marrying
John Vernon sad Miss Lay, as she
tossed her gloves on the little table be-
fore her, and settled herself comfort
ably in her chair.
IAN my friends. So that includes
you, of COURSE said Mildred, with a
little nervous laugh that was meant to
hide her annoyance.
well, and Miss Lay looked,
thonghtfuliy up at the ceiling, then
down again. Il confess l was astonish-
I'd! In the first place your husband is
vergingon forty, an age quite unsuited
10 yonr youth and beauty" with little
complimentary nod toward Mildred,
VIII CHI the latter affected not to see -
then You are his second choice, and
have too often heard you express your
opinion of widowers in general not to
De-"
''One is privileged to change ones
opinion, l suppose" interrupted Mil
bred. quickly and defiantly.
.Of courser' said Miss Law, not at
ali abashed at Mildred's look and tone.
But the question is how YOU managed
to uproot our strong prejudice"
Il don't think it absolutely necessary
f.. 4 r
change came about. said Mildred, inn
patiently. and with . look of sudden
anger in her eyes.
Now. Milly. there is no need of get
ling angry. You know I've always
felt privileged TO say what / pleased
without fear Of offending you" and
Miss Lay elevated her pretty eyebrows
and regarded Mildred with !; look of
amusement. knowing your DISPOSE
ton so well. | can't help wondering at
your choice. Not that find anything
Objectionable in the character of Mr..
Vernon" she added, hastily. seeing
that Mildred was on the point of speak
ing. but it must be Notifying, to say
the least, to a girl of your proud. sensi-
tive nature, to have the virtues of Mrs.
Vernon Number One continually dinned
into his ears. for, of course, now that
shes dead and gone she had no faults,
poor woman and the corners of Miss
Lays rosy mouth came down with n
sudden eomical jerk that. under any
other circumstances. would have pro-
voked laugh from Mildred.
IF it were any one else but you,
Lizzie. wouldn't listen to such non
sense"' exclaimed Mildred, with look
Of lofty scorn, but knowing your friv-
olous nature so well, can readily ex-
cuse you"
knowing my good nature SO well"
corrected Miss Lay. with IA laugh.
Now confess that your husband is tor
ever sounding the praises OF Mrs. Yer
non Number One.
"Forever is long word. and / shall
confess nothing of the kind. because it
is not true said Mildred. smothering Il
strong desire TO box Miss Lady's ears.
IN wager anything he's called you
Helen dozen times since you were
married." said Miss Lay, with provok-
ing persistence.
..lndeed. he has not. and if he should.
| wouldn't mind ii in the least" said
Mildred. telling a deliberate falSehood
with placid face.
And that picture" remarked Miss
Law, indicating with sweep OF her
hand the portrait on the opposite wall.
of fair-haired, blue-eyed woman. Il
don't see how you can have it always
before YOU. Let me see. what is that
verse about. ''blaek eyes and blue?'
Oh have it now:
The black eve may say:
Come aud worship INV raw,
By adoring perhaps you may move me-"
But the blue eye half hid,
Saws from under its lid,
Il love and am yours if you'll love me-"
"Why not have your picture under
meath by way of contrast and label 1t
Mrs. John Vernon Number Two"
1T was my own request that the
picture should not be removed" SD
Mildred. utterly ignoring the last
question, while the sudden o:ninus
sparkle in her dark eyes warned Miss
Law that she was veuturiug too fairy
Don't mind my nonsense. Milly.
You know l was never serious in my
life, and | really couldn't resist the
temptation to tease you a little this
morning. | am sure | meant no
offense. Now. Mildred, please don't
assume that high and mighty air with
me. it never did have the least effect
Well" seeing that Mildred still looked
ANNOYED. lust attribute my remarks
10 jealousy, sheer jealousy. The fact
is rising and drawing on her gloves
I'VE all envy you. | wore my sweetest
smile for John Vernon in vain for
more than year, and Belle Hunter
raye up the only chance she had to go
abroad. thinking that he would surely
ask her to marry him. but he didn't.
Well, Unjust be going, suppose it is
cutie useless to ask you to come and
see me soon, for now that you've got
home You'll be too utterly happy to
care for the society of your old
friends.
Il shall never be too busy nor too
happy to see my old friends said
Mildred warmly. though her face still
wore a troubled look, Tell me, Liz